It’s not entirely clear why this wasn’t Microsoft’s strategy from the start, but a report from The Verge today suggests that the company is working to build a unified app store that works consistently across Windows Phone and the Windows desktop.

According to the report Terry Myerson, head of the operating systems group at Microsoft made the announcement at an internal company meeting today.

I’m a big fan of working with two or more monitors, and it’s something I’ll continue to recommend to everyone who spends any length of time working with their computer. The next best thing is to work with a virtual desktop program to gain access to extra workspace, but Dexpot is an app that combines the best of both worlds.

Even if you already have multiple monitors in use, surely you could still make use of a little extra space or some better organization? As well as being tremendously useful, Dexpot also gains points for being incredibly good looking – this is more than just your average virtual desktop tool.

By the time you read this, Windows 8 will have been made available for your general consumption, and pleasure. But, as will be the case with most of us who have been wanting to upgrade, but are fearful of the new ModernUI, how much of a shock will it be to all you future users, when you find yourselves amidst the strange waters of the Modern UI?

Well, I’ve been a guinea-pig of sorts, subjecting myself to the the likes of Windows 8 as my primary operating system for quite a while now.

I’m a big fan of maximizing my available workspace and here on Windows.AppStorm, I’ve looked at various tools that can be used to enhance virtual desktops and multiple monitor setups. Now I’d like to share another tool I’ve found that makes use of existing hardware you may own.

If you have an Android or iOS phone or tablet, you can use iDisplay to transform it into an extra monitor. The desktop software is free of charge and while the mobile apps do have price tag attached to them, they are a great deal cheaper than buying a new monitor of any size.

We’re big fans of virtual desktop tools here at Windows.AppStorm; any utility that can be used to gain extra desktop space without having to buy a new monitor is to be welcomed. Previously I’ve looked at nSpaces and WindowsPager but DeskSpace is something quite special.

DeskSpace takes the idea of virtual desktop not only to the next level, but to the next dimension. Rather than presenting you with a flat, two-dimensional representation of your workspace, you can instead flip between your desktop in three dimensions.

While there’s a lot to be said for replacing your existing monitor with a larger one, adding a second screen may actually prove to be more useful. There are a number of advantages to setting up a dual display system, the first of which is that it is considerably cheaper than buying a supersized screen.

Getting setup up is a simple matter of plugging in your two monitors, but you’ll quickly find that Windows offers very few options for controlling the way your display. DisplayFusion, on the other hand, provides you with a raft of tools that makes a multi-monitor system even more helpful and easy to use.

How big is your monitor? Big enough? There are very few people who could honestly say that their monitor would not benefit from being a bit larger; who wouldn’t love to have a 32 inch screen in front of them to work with?

But few people invest in such large monitors, with both cost and physical desk space being issues. Another option is to add a second monitor to your computer, but if space is at a premium, this may not be possible. This is where virtual desktops come into their own, and nSpaces is a great free tool that not only gives you more space, but also enables you to group related applications and windows together.

Everyone likes to stamp their own mark on their computer, and many people spend hours on end tweaking settings and using customization tools. But one of the quickest and easiest ways to change the look of Windows is to simply change your desktop background.

You could use a photo that you’ve taken yourself, but if you find that your photography skills are not quite up to scratch, there is a plethora of sites from which you can download all manner of wallpapers. Below you’ll find 50 of the best images we’ve managed to find – some are provided at various resolutions while others are only available in one size. Either way you should be able to find something to adorn your desktop.

Balsamiq Mockups is a wireframing app available for Windows, Mac and Linux, as well as a new subscription-based web app. It’s designed for you to quickly and easily create mockups and collaborate with colleagues and clients.

You can test drive Balsamiq Mockups for 7 days, or buy the full version for $79. Let’s see how easy it is to create wire frame designs with this program and if it’s worth the price tag.